Dmitry Bivol Triumphs Over Artur Beterbiev in Light Heavyweight Rematch

2025-03-02

Dmitry Bivol reclaimed his place at the top of the light heavyweight division with a hard-fought majority decision victory over Artur Beterbiev in their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The judges scored the bout 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113 in favor of Bivol, who avenged his lone career defeat and became the undisputed champion by capturing the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles.

The fight, a tactical and intense battle between two elite operators, mirrored their first encounter in October but with Bivol making key adjustments. Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) started strong, using his jab and movement to control the early rounds. However, Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs), known for his relentless pressure and knockout power, surged in the middle rounds, landing heavy body shots and forcing Bivol to dig deep. Despite Beterbiev’s rally, Bivol regained momentum in the later rounds, showcasing superior conditioning and sharper combinations to secure the win.

Bivol outlanded Beterbiev 170 to 121, according to CompuBox, and connected on nearly 40% of his power shots. The victory marked the first professional loss for Beterbiev, who had previously held all four major titles. Both fighters showed signs of wear, with Bivol suffering a cut near his left eye and Beterbiev dealing with swelling and abrasions.

In his post-fight comments, Bivol credited his improved confidence and preparation for the win. “I was better, I was pushing myself more. I was more confident, I was lighter. I just wanted to win so much today,” he said. Beterbiev, while disappointed, remained gracious, stating, “I don’t want to talk about the decision. Congrats to Bivol and his team.”

The fight sets up a potential trilogy, with Beterbiev expressing his desire for a third bout. “We’re going to do a third fight,” he said. Bivol, however, emphasized the need for rest and recovery before considering another matchup. “I’m ready for any challenge in the future, but I want a little bit of rest,” he added.

The co-main event saw Joseph Parker score a second-round TKO over Martin Bakole, while Shakur Stevenson defended his WBC lightweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Josh Padley. The night’s action solidified Bivol’s status as one of boxing’s elite and set the stage for more high-stakes matchups in the light heavyweight division.

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